56 Tbird White Stick Shift

[HKS]

I would appriciate any advice from all of you.

I have a chance to get a 56 White Tbird for a decent price. Continental kit and white hard top. Under $30,000. Where should I inspect for rust? Is it possible to replace the transmission with an automatic? Just asking. I can live with a 3 speed stick.

HKS

[Rondor]

Re: 56 Tbird White Stick Shift

Sounds good to me. I would keep original stick but probably could be converted fairly easy. For rust look all along bottom such as fenders rocker panels quater panel etc. Also look around head and tail lites. You might want to use a magnet if they look good on surface. If possabile put car on lift and shine a light down the side o high lite any waves. I would look at bottom of floor pan from underside and in trun along the sides for rust or repairs. Likely repairs have been made but if done right I would woory too much. If you don't know how to judge repairs take a body shop man with you. Best money you could spend. None of the cars from the 50's were protected well from rust and some bad under coat jobs actually increased rust in long run

[HKS]

Re: 56 Tbird White Stick Shift

Thanks, very good advice. I will look for a magnet, may have to destroy on old speker.

HKS

Sounds good to me. I would keep original stick but probably could be converted fairly easy. For rust look all along bottom such as fenders rocker panels quater panel etc. Also look around head and tail lites. You might want to use a magnet if they look good on surface. If possabile put car on lift and shine a light down the side o high lite any waves. I would look at bottom of floor pan from underside and in trun along the sides for rust or repairs. Likely repairs have been made but if done right I would woory too much. If you don't know how to judge repairs take a body shop man with you. Best money you could spend. None of the cars from the 50's were protected well from rust and some bad under coat jobs actually increased rust in long run

[PITTBIRDS]

Re: 56 Tbird White Stick Shift

Changing from a stick shift to an automatic has a lot of baggage to go with it. First find a good transmission. You will have to remove the clutch pedal. The automatic shifter and linkages are in limited supply and expensive. You will need a different linkage between the gas pedal, carburetor and transmission. Find a transmission that is water cooled. More baggage, you will have to run cooling lines from the transmission to the radiator. Make sure the radiator fittings will accept the lines, some radiators don't have the connection fittings. The transmissions that are not water cooled run very hot.
......Learn to enjoy the stick shift!

Rust: The outer body may look good. As previously suggested; bring a magnet and thoroughly inspect the outer body. The floor pans under your feet have a tendency to rust. The air vent tubes inside the front fenders may have been replaced because of rust. The rear inner fenders and trunk floor may display rust under the trunk mat.
Good Luck! I own a 1957 Thunderbird and I enjoy it every time I drive it.

[Rosebud]

Re: 56 Tbird White Stick Shift

We have a 56, look all around the park/turn lights in front, for some reason it didn't show up untill I stripped the paint.

[yelobird2002]

Re: 56 Tbird White Stick Shift

Don't use a speaker magnet as this could scratch the paint. Use a rubberized refrigerator magnet. If I saw you going down the side of my car with a speaker magnet I'd freak out.

[HKS]

Re: 56 Tbird White Stick Shift

I would have put it in a sock or cover of some kind.
HKS

Don't use a speaker magnet as this could scratch the paint. Use a rubberized refrigerator magnet. If I saw you going down the side of my car with a speaker magnet I'd freak out.